Which cities, in your opinion, have the least comprehensive limited access highway networks vis-a-vis their size?

In terms of lane miles per thousand population, I understand that Los Angeles, Washington, Chicago, and Boston, among other places, rank fairly low, while sprawlopoli such as Houston, D/FW, and Phoenix rank higher.

Also, this extends to the lane capacity of freeways within a metro area. Freeway facilities themselves may be plentiful within a locality, but if there are 6 and 8 lane facilities in locations where there is enough traffic demand for 10-12 lanes, this can also count as limited access highway network underdevelopment.

The Fort Myers/Cape Coral (Florida) area has only one interstate, I-75. There were plans in the 1980's to build a beltway around the county but they were nixed thanks to NIMBY's. Now the county residents are regulated to use the only interstate and only a few main arterials to get around, with only four main thoroughfares that reach the interstate. There are plans to upgrade the Veterans Parkway (CR 884), Colonial Boulevard (FL 884) and Burnt Store Road (CR 765) into an expressway, but it is only in the planning stages (30% submittal) and if it happens it will be some time before construction starts, and that will be at least two decades too late considering the current amount of traffic tie ups in the metropolitan area.

Poway, California doesn't have any freeway networks due never happen for building a CA-56 and CA-125 freeways while Poway was rural town in 1960s to 1970s. it shown in Thomas Bros Maps since 1967 to 1980s something.

Indianapolis could use a better system with either I-74 and I-69 extended inside I-465 or a better bypass route. Maybe an I-274 from Crawfordsville to I-70 near New Libson via Lebanon, Anderson, and Newcastle, plus a new route for future I-69 through traffic to bypass I-465.

Cleveland's hardly "under developed" by the standards proposed here, but it's hardly developed enough downtown to handle traffic now-a-days, especially with the Innerbelt Bridge deemed unsafe for trucks a couple months back. With it down to three lanes each way (I think) from four, traffic going into downtown Cleveland's pretty awful from all sides.

I believe it US 74 that proceeds east of Charlotte should've been a freeway. But I would say that Philadelphia, Washington, and Baltimore are underdeveloped as well as Memphis. Much of this is due to cancellations, which in some cases is good because much of these plans were overkill.

I believe it US 74 that proceeds east of Charlotte should've been a freeway. But I would say that Philadelphia, Washington, and Baltimore are underdeveloped as well as Memphis. Much of this is due to cancellations, which in some cases is good because much of these plans were overkill.

Overkill? Could you please elaborate?

I think Memphis could have used I-40 completed through a tunnel under Overton Park, an extension of TN 300 to a new river bridge for a rerouted I-55, and US 78 upgraded to a freeway to at least I-240, if not somehow tying into the unbuilt section of I-40 inside the I-240 loop.

Another city that comes to mind is Lexington, KY, population over 530,000 residents as of 2007. With only two interstates, I-64 and I-75, serving the north and eastern quadrants, this inland metropolis has a very underdeveloped freeway network. There is no "true" beltway to serve the residents of the city, and I don't count New Circle Road (KY 4) as it A) does not directly connect with I-64 or I-75 (as it was built before them) and B) it is not a full fledged freeway (there are still a few miles of at grade intersections in the northeast quadrant). Man-O-War Boulevard is no better as it is nothing more than a glorified arterial that has spurred sprawl over the years. And all the US Highways that spoke out from the center have also served as sprawl inducers. As far as I know, there are no current plans to extend freeway mileage in the area.

I believe it US 74 that proceeds east of Charlotte should've been a freeway. But I would say that Philadelphia, Washington, and Baltimore are underdeveloped as well as Memphis. Much of this is due to cancellations, which in some cases is good because much of these plans were overkill.

I agree with you about Memphis. I think a nice depressed or decked I-40 would have had minimal impact through the central city. I was mainly referring to the other cities.Overkill? Could you please elaborate?

I think Memphis could have used I-40 completed through a tunnel under Overton Park, an extension of TN 300 to a new river bridge for a rerouted I-55, and US 78 upgraded to a freeway to at least I-240, if not somehow tying into the unbuilt section of I-40 inside the I-240 loop.

Madison, WI - it has only the substandard beltine around the south and west sides which is essentially US 12 rerouted around the city,The Interstates on the east side, but nothing downtown (not like we can fit anything through there anymore) and nothing around the north side.

Logged

Scott O.

Not all who wander are lost...Ah, the open skies, wind at my back, warm sun on my... wait, where the hell am I?!As a matter of fact, I do own the road.Raise your what?

I believe it US 74 that proceeds east of Charlotte should've been a freeway. But I would say that Philadelphia, Washington, and Baltimore are underdeveloped as well as Memphis. Much of this is due to cancellations, which in some cases is good because much of these plans were overkill.

How is Baltimore underdeveloped? Even though several routes were cancelled it still has alot iof freeways, especially for a city it's size. It's the only place I think where you can be on an Interstate (I-95) and have 3 Interstate exits in a row (Exit 46 I-895, Exit 47, I-195, Exit 49 I-695), that hardly sounds underdeveloped to me.